17/10/03

Twenty Years of Therapy for HIV-1 Infection

This scientific review paper systematically covers the history of HIV drug development, from the initial identification of the AIDS virus and the appearance of the first antiretroviral drug, AZT, to the successes and limitations of today's Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).

The review includes a timeline of events, clear graphical illustrations of the HIV life cycle and mechanisms of drug action, and a list of the 21 drugs currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The authors express considerable optimism that future drugs targeting different steps in the HIV life cycle will help lead to more potent therapies. While the ultimate goal of complete cure remains a considerable challenge, they conclude, "the potential to completely control or suppress the virus in infected individuals is likely to become achievable in the near future".